July 8, 1996
VF Corporation operates under a Code of Business Conduct which sets forth
the key principles under which the Company and its worldwide subsidiaries are
required to operate. The Code of Business Conduct states that the conduct of
business with employees, customers, consumers, suppliers and all others shall
be based on an honest, fair and equitable basis. It has been and will continue
to be the Company's policy to obey the laws of each country and to honor our
obligations to society by being an economic, intellectual, and social asset to
each community and nation in which the Company operates.
While most of the Company's products are manufactured in facilities owned by
the Company where compliance with the VF Code of Business Conduct can be
directly assured, the global expansion of our business is resulting in our
dealing more regu larly with third-party contractors, particularly in foreign
countries.
The purpose of these CONTRACTOR TERMS OF ENGAGEMENT is to make clear that,
taking into account differences in cultures and legal requirements, we expect
that wherever our products are manufactured they will be manufactured in a
manner compatible with the high standards that have contributed to the
outstanding reputa tion of our brands and our Company.
- ETHICAL STANDARDS
We expect those with whom we contract for the manufacture of our products
("VF Contractors") to operate within a set of ethical standards
compatible with VF's Code of Business Conduct.
- LEGAL REQUIREMENTS
We expect VF Contractors to comply with the applicable laws and regula
tions of the localities, states, and countries in which they operate.
- TREATMENT OF EMPLOYEES
All VF Contractors must fairly compensate their employees, by providing, at
a minimum, wages and benefits in compliance with applicable wage and hour laws
and regulations. In selecting contractors, we will favor those whose policies
and practices place reasonable limits on the number of hours that employees may
work on a regularly scheduled basis and who regularly pro vide reasonable rest
periods and days off.
All VF Contractors must provide their employees
with a clean, healthful and safe work environment, and, if applicable, safe and
healthy residential facili ties.
We will not do business with
contractors who employ children. For this purpose, the term "child"
generally refers to anyone under the age of 14, or under the maximum age for
compulsory school attendance if that age is higher than 14, except in the case
of legally permissible apprenticeship and similar programs.
We will
not knowingly do business with contractors who use prison or other forced
labor.
We will not knowingly do business with contractors who permit
the use of corporal punishment or other forms of mental or physical
intimidation or coercion.
We will favor contractors who provide equal employment opportunities
for workers based on their ability rather than on the basis of personal
character istics or religious or other beliefs.
- INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS
We will not do business with contractors who do not respect our
intellectual property rights in our brands.
- PRODUCT LABELING
All VF Contractors must accurately label our products with their country of
origin in compliance with the laws of the United States and those of the
country of manufacture.
- MONITORING
VF and its subsidiaries will undertake affirmative measures, such as
on-site inspection of production facilities, to monitor compliance with the
above standards. VF Contractors must allow VF representatives full access to
the contractor's production facilities and books and records and respond
promptly to reasonable inquiries by VF representatives concerning the
operations of the contractor's facilities.
- AGENTS AND SUBCONTRACTORS
We expect the standards set forth above to be observed by agents we engage
to assist in the selection of VF Contractors.
We do not permit
subcontracting without our consent. We will not knowingly permit VF Contractors
to subcontract our work to subcontractors who would not qualify as VF
Contractors under the above criteria.
VF CORPORATION AND ITS DIVISIONS RESERVE THE RIGHT TO CANCEL
ALL CURRENT PURCHASE ORDERS WITH ANY CONTRACTOR FOUND TO BE IN VIOLATION OF
THE ABOVE STANDARDS
CONTRACTOR CERTIFICATION
I have read and fully understand VF's Contractor Terms of Engagement and
certify that we are in compliance with these terms.
Contractor's Name:
Contractor's Representative:
Date:
AMERICAN APPAREL MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION
(submitted by VF
Corporation)
AAMA Statement of Responsibility
Members of the American Apparel Manufacturers Association (AAMA) are
committed to the fair and rational practice of business in the United States
and abroad. Basic to this commitment is the fair and equitable treatment of
employees in wages, working conditions, and benefits. In no case do we support
the use of child labor, prison labor, discrimination based on age, race,
national origin, gender, or religion, the violation of legal or moral rights of
employees, nor destruction or harm to the envi ronment.
The American Apparel Manufacturers Association (AAMA) has established this
State ment of Responsibility as a guideline for all member companies for their
own facili ties and for the facilities where production is contracted. AAMA
represents over 70 percent of all domestic apparel production in the United
States. Members companies manufacture all types of apparel and we are located
in virtually every state in the United States.